This month’s Philosopher: Maria Whitman, WG’05
To learn more about Maria, click here.
LIFE LESSONS
If I knew then what I know now, I would have...
found the perspective earlier to look at and celebrate all I do vs. focusing on what I can’t do or get to. I would have uncovered sooner the confidence in my ability and capability to succeed under all the circumstances life brings.
If I knew then what I know now, I would NOT have...
stepped as far away from some of the soul-satisfying things I love beyond my family, work, and friends… I would have kept singing and acting, learned more piano, painted more. I am slowly working them back in, particularly as my kids explore their interests, and it is a wonderful thing!
FAVORITE QUOTES
- “You are what you repeatedly do; excellence, then is a habit, not an act.”
~ Aristotle - “If I had an hour to solve a problem I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and five minutes thinking about solutions.” ~ Albert Einstein
- “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” ~ Wayne Gretzky
- “Cherish the routine of the day.”
~ My mother, Margherita DeAngelis Whitman
RECOMMENDED READING
-
The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee
- A comprehensive look at the history and story of cancer, written with skill, empathy, and hope, and raising questions surrounding the war against it.
-
Switch by Chip and Dan Heath
- One of my favorites from the Heath brothers. A nice easy-to-digest compilation and framework of individual change management ideas and examples that are useful in work and in life. Had the pleasure to do a master class with them on the topic years ago, and I still find the concepts coming to mind in various situations today.
-
Getting Naked: A Business Fable About Shedding the Three Fears by Patrick Lencioni
- Very quick read (particularly good for consultants, professional services) that encourages a willingness to be vulnerable to build productive client relationships and loyalty.
-
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
- I used to read this every other year, and am due again. Quixote reignites the value of vision and persistence, passion, and self-knowledge, and hope for all the world can be.
-
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
- Another classic I have read multiple times, it is a beautifully done story with an underlying wisdom towards self-empowerment and believing in your dreams.
Contact Maria at:
[email protected]
646.824.2012
www.linkedin.com/in/mariawhitman